Nominate rural students to be part of Square Pegged. Apply now

Ignite the artistic spark within your students

We invite rural schools to nominate up to five young individuals to participate in Square Pegged, an immersive and transformative school camp experience brought to you by Fairfax Youth Festival.

What is Square Pegged?

Square Pegged is more than just a camp; it's a week-long journey of artistic exploration, collaboration, and empowerment. Designed for young talents aged 12-18 with a passion for drama, music, and creative arts, Square Pegged offers an immersive platform where participants create, learn, and perform an original performance from scratch. Led by ten professional artists with rich backgrounds in acting, directing, and theatre-making, this camp empowers young voices. It provides them a unique opportunity to experience the practices of diverse contemporary artists.

By nominating your students, you're offering them a chance to expand their horizons, develop their artistic skills, and cultivate self-assurance.

Square Pegged offers a refreshing twist in a world where young individuals often find themselves guided by adult supervision. From planning to performance, participants take on the roles of artists and supervisors, making impactful decisions that shape the project's outcome. This burst of creative energy over a week provides a sense of control, decision-making authority, and a whole lot of fun. Moreover, Square Pegged embraces the theme of "Back to Normality," encouraging participants to challenge norms, redefine 'normal,' and explore the boundaries of self-expression.

Curriculum Integration: Nurturing Holistic Learning

At the heart of Square Pegged is a commitment to holistic education. This immersive experience presents diverse benefits for students.

  • Student Learning Outcomes: Square Pegged aligns with the Creative Arts learning area and Critical and Creative Thinking Capability in the Victorian curriculum. Beyond that, it can be customised to address the unique learning needs of our final selected cohort. Participants will engage in activities that foster creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and self-expression.

  • World-Class Festival Engagement: Participation in Square Pegged provides your school with an unparalleled chance to participate in a world-class festival. This exposure adds a new dimension to your school's creative and cultural endeavours- and all participating schools will be acknowledged in all Fairfax materials, including website, social media, marketing, and each school that has nominated students will also receive recognition.

  • Holistic Student Learning: Students will reap the rewards of hands-on experience, enhancing their artistic abilities, boosting confidence, and honing critical and creative thinking skills.

  • Maximised Opportunities: Square Pegged maximises opportunities for students from rural schools to expand their skills and knowledge in a collaborative environment.

Nominate up to five students and

unleash their  creative potential, apply now

Important Logistics: Dates, Consent, and Support

  • Camp Timing: Square Pegged is scheduled to take place from Sunday October 1 to Sunday, Ocotber 8 during the first week of the school term 4 in Victoria, and the school holidays for NSW and SA, ensuring minimal disruption to your academic calendar.

  • Parental Consent: Participation in the camp requires parental or guardian consent. We understand the significance of clear communication with parents and guardians and will provide detailed information for your convenience.

  • Supervision and Support: Swan Hill Rural City Council will offer dedicated youth worker support and supervision throughout the Fairfax Camp, ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants.

  • Logistical Support: Fairfax Festival is committed to making this experience accessible. Travel, accommodation, and catering will be provided for all participating students, eliminating any financial barriers.

  • Maximised Opportunities: Square Pegged maximises opportunities for students from rural schools to expand their skills and knowledge in a collaborative environment. This project comes at no cost for the school - and yet provides a “money can’t buy opportunity” at a time of scarce resources and challenges in delivering creative opportunities in small and rural schools.

Let’s work together.

Interested in nominating students from your school? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!